U.S. patent application number 15/519590 was filed with the patent office on 2017-08-31 for fin stabilizer, covering element and water vehicle.
The applicant listed for this patent is SKF BLOHM + VOSS INDUSTRIES GMBH. Invention is credited to Frank Albrecht, Ulrich Albrecht, Kai Danneberg, Uwe Leitloff, Thomas Siebrecht, Holger Spardel, Michael Zollenkopf.
Application Number | 20170247090 15/519590 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54345495 |
Filed Date | 2017-08-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170247090 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Danneberg; Kai ; et
al. |
August 31, 2017 |
FIN STABILIZER, COVERING ELEMENT AND WATER VEHICLE
Abstract
A fin stabilizer for stabilizing watercraft includes a pivotable
stabilizer fin and a receiving space for receiving the stabilizer
fin. The stabilizer fin is shiftable from a retracted state in
which the stabilizer fin is received in the receiving space to an
extended state in which the stabilizer fin extends from the
receiving space. Also at least one flexible cover element for at
least partially covering an opening of the receiving space, through
which opening the stabilizer fin enters and exits the receiving
space during retracting and extending, respectively. The stabilizer
fin does not contact the at least one over element when shifting
from the retracted state to the extended state.
Inventors: |
Danneberg; Kai; (Hamburg,
DE) ; Zollenkopf; Michael; (Hamburg, DE) ;
Albrecht; Frank; (Stadtoldendorf, DE) ; Albrecht;
Ulrich; (Stadtoldendorf, DE) ; Leitloff; Uwe;
(Wennigsen, DE) ; Siebrecht; Thomas; (Elmshorn,
DE) ; Spardel; Holger; (Hamburg, DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
SKF BLOHM + VOSS INDUSTRIES GMBH |
Hamburg |
|
DE |
|
|
Family ID: |
54345495 |
Appl. No.: |
15/519590 |
Filed: |
October 22, 2015 |
PCT Filed: |
October 22, 2015 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2015/074469 |
371 Date: |
April 17, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B63B 2039/068 20130101;
B63B 39/06 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B63B 39/06 20060101
B63B039/06 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 24, 2014 |
DE |
10 2014 221 606.0 |
Claims
1. A fin stabilizer for stabilizing watercraft, including a
pivotable stabilizer fin, a receiving space for receiving the
stabilizer fin, the stabilizer fin being shiftable from a retracted
state in which the stabilizer fin is received in the receiving
space to an extended state in which the stabilizer fin extends from
the receiving space, and including at least one cover element for
at least partially covering an opening of the receiving space,
through which opening the stabilizer fin enters and exits the
receiving space during retracting and extending, respectively,
wherein the at least one cover element is flexible, and wherein the
stabilizer fin does not contact the at least one over element when
shifting from the retracted state to the extended state.
2. The fin stabilizer according to claim 1, wherein when covering
the opening, the at least one cover element extends over an entire
height of the opening or nearly over the entire height of the
opening.
3. The fin stabilizer according to claim 1, wherein the at least
one cover element comprises a first cover element and a second
cover element, and, when covering the opening, the first and second
cover elements in combination extend over the entire height of the
opening or nearly over the entire height of the opening.
4. The fin stabilizer according to claim 1, wherein the at least
one cover element comprises a first cover element and a second
cover element, and in the retracted state the at least two first
and second cover elements abut on opposing sides of the stabilizer
fin.
5. The fin stabilizer according to claim 1, wherein the at least
one cover element is an inherently stable and elastic plastic
lip.
6. The fin stabilizer according to claim 1, wherein the at least
one cover element are elastic plastic lips that are stabilized by
at least one volume-variable support element.
7. The fin stabilizer according to claim 1, wherein the at least
one cover element includes a plurality of inherently stable and
elastic bristle elements or lamella elements.
8. The fin stabilizer according to claim 1, wherein the at least
one cover element is a volume-variable hollow-chamber lip.
9. The fin stabilizer according to claim 8, wherein the
hollow-chamber lip includes at least one flexible and
high-tensile-strength shaping element.
10. The fin stabilizer according to claim 8, wherein the
hollow-chamber lip is protected from a direct physical contact with
the stabilizer fin by a belt element.
11. The fin stabilizer according to claim 8, wherein the at least
one cover element includes at least one buoyancy body for
generating a buoyancy.
12. The fin stabilizer according to claim 8, wherein the at least
one cover element is weighted by at least one downthrust body for
generating a downthrust.
13. The fin stabilizer according to claim 8, wherein an upper edge
region of the fin box includes an upper receiving space for
receiving an upper cover element and/or a lower edge region of the
fin box includes a lower receiving space for receiving a lower
cover element.
14. A flexible cover element for a fin stabilizer according to
claim 1.
15. A watercraft including at least one fin stabilizer according to
claim 1.
16. The fin stabilizer according to claim 1, wherein the at least
one cover element includes at least one float configured to
generate a buoyancy and at least one weight configured to generate
a downthrust.
17. The fin stabilizer according to claim 5, wherein the at least
one cover element is an elastic plastic lip that is stabilized by
at least one elastic or volume-variable support element, wherein
the at least one cover element includes a plurality of inherently
stable and elastic bristle elements or lamella elements, wherein
the at least one cover element includes a volume-variable
hollow-chamber lip having at least one flexible shaping element,
and wherein the hollow-chamber lip is protected from a direct
physical contact with the stabilizer fin by a belt element.
18. The fin stabilizer according to claim 1, including means for
retracting the at least one cover element when the stabilizer fin
is shifted from the retracted state to the extended state such the
stabilizer fin does not contact the at least one cover element.
19. A fin stabilizer configured to stabilize a watercraft, the fin
stabilizer including: a housing defining a receiving space and an
opening into the receiving space; a stabilizer fin having a first
end pivotably mounted in the housing, the stabilizer fin being
shiftable between a retracted state in which the stabilizer fin is
disposed in the housing and an extended state in which the
stabilizer fin projects from the housing; at least one flexible
cover element configured to at least partially cover the opening of
the receiving space; and means for retracting the at least one
cover element when the stabilizer fin is shifted from the retracted
state to the extended state.
20. The fin stabilizer according to claim 19, wherein the at least
one cover element includes at least one float configured to
generate a buoyancy and at least one weight configured to generate
a downthrust.
Description
[0001] The invention relates to a fin stabilizer for the
stabilizing of watercraft according to the preamble of patent claim
1, a cover element, and a watercraft.
[0002] Fin stabilizers serve to dampen rolling movements of
watercraft or ships. In principle there are two types of fin
stabilizers. Fin stabilizers including stabilizer fins retractable
into the hull, and fin stabilizers including non-retractable
stabilizer fins. The present invention relates to the fin
stabilizers including a retractable stabilizer fin. For this
purpose the fin stabilizers have a receiving space or fin box that
is introduced into the hull and open to the water side via an
opening. The fin box is sealed with respect to the hull interior.
During retracting and extending the stabilizer fin enters or exits
through the opening in the fin box. The opening is slightly larger
than the cross-section of the stabilizer fin. In operation water is
pressed or sucked into the fin box and impinges with high speed on
a rear side wall, viewed in the direction of travel of the ship, of
the fin box. In addition, a relatively strong circulation flow
forms inside the fin box. A large flow resistance is thereby
induced, which significantly increases the fuel consumption of the
ship. Furthermore the maximum buoyancy- and downthrust-force and
thus the stabilization performance of the fin stabilizer is
impaired by the fin-box opening.
[0003] For this reason covers have been developed for at least
partial covering or closing of the opening. In one cover a stiff
metal plate as cover element is deflected in the edge region of the
opening and is pivotable via a mechanical drive. In DE 10 2011 005
312 A1 a cover is shown whose cover element is formed by a
dimensionally stable tail fin of the stabilizer fin. For this
purpose the stabilizer fin is correspondingly pivotable in the fin
box, and the tail fin is correspondingly adjustable relative to the
stabilizer fin. While the use of the tail fin as cover element
requires no additional cover element or drive, an at least partial
covering of the opening is, however, not possible with extended
stabilizer fin.
[0004] In the publication DE 25 34 915 A1 a device for the
stabilizing of ships is shown. For receiving the stabilizer fin in
the rest position the device includes a fin-shaft housing including
a slot as extension through which the stabilizer fin is extended
and retracted. Here a plate for covering the fin-shaft housing is
disposed on the stabilizer fin itself. In the use position of the
stabilizer fin the plate covers the fin-shaft housing. In the rest
position of the stabilizer fin a second plate can cover the
fin-shaft housing. The slot remains uncovered independent of the
position of the stabilizer fin.
[0005] Further prior art is known, for example, from GB 760 792 A
and EP 2 096 027 A2.
[0006] An object of the invention is to provide a fin stabilizer
that allows, with a reduced expense in terms of device technology,
an at least partial covering of its fin-box opening both in the
retracted and in the extended state of the stabilizer fin.
Furthermore, it is an object of the invention to provide a cover
element for such a fin stabilizer and a watercraft such that the
watercraft has a high rolling damping and a lower fuel
consumption.
[0007] This object is achieved by a fin stabilizer having the
features of patent claim 1, by a cover element having the features
of patent claim 13, and by a watercraft having the features of
patent claim 14.
[0008] An inventive fin stabilizer for stabilizing of watercraft
has a pivotable stabilizer fin, a receiving space for receiving of
the stabilizer fin in the retracted state, and at least one cover
element for at least sectional covering of an opening of the
receiving space, through which the stabilizer fin enters in the
receiving space or exits during retracting and extending. According
to the invention the at least one cover element is flexible.
[0009] Since the at least one cover element is flexible it can be
pushed away from the stabilizer fin during extending or retracting,
or reduced by the water pressure surrounding it for extending or
retracting. Since the cover is not formed by a tail fin, it makes
possible an at least partial closing of the opening even in the
extended state of the stabilizer fin. Thus in operation a smoother
hull is provided in the region of the stabilizer fin than with a
completely open receiving space, i.e., a nearly continuous hull,
whereby a more undisturbed flow is achieved. The buoyancy of the
stabilizer fin is thus increased and a correspondingly high
stabilizing performance is achieved. At the same time the flow
resistance is significantly reduced by the nearly smooth hull in
the region of the stabilizer fin, whereby the fuel consumption
turns out significantly lower than with watercraft including open
fin boxes in operation. Due to the greater buoyancy the efficiency
of the fin stabilizer is increased with simultaneous resistance
reduction.
[0010] In one exemplary embodiment the at least one cover element
extends over the respective height of the opening or nearly over
the respective height of the opening. Thus only one cover element
is required. For example, the cover element is attached to an upper
opening edge and protrudes in the closed position up to the lower
opening edge.
[0011] Alternatively at least one second cover element can be
provided that in combination with the at least one cover element
extends over the respective height of the opening or nearly over
the respective height of the opening. The second cover element is
fastened, for example, on the lower opening edge and extends toward
the upper opening edge. The at least one cover element is then
fastened on the upper opening edge and extends toward the lower
opening edge. The cover elements can have the same height and thus
meet at virtually half the height of the opening or form a contact
region at half the height of the opening. Of course the cover
elements can also have different heights and, for example, the
upper cover element be taller than the lower cover element. The
height of the cover elements preferably conforms to the position of
the stabilizer fin in the put-away or retracted or extended
state.
[0012] In one alternative exemplary embodiment including at least
one second cover element, in the retracted state the cover elements
abut on opposing sides of the stabilizer fin. In this exemplary
embodiment the cover elements form no contact region between each
other, rather each cover element forms its own contact region with
one side of the stabilizer fin. In the retracted state the
stabilizer fin is thus not completely covered by the cover
elements, but rather protrudes out between them with a section,
wherein the receiving space is closed by the opposing abutting or
contact regions of the cover elements on the stabilizer fin. This
exemplary embodiment allows a greater tolerance range with respect
to the orientation and shape of the cover elements with respect to
each other, since installation- and component-tolerances can be
compensated by the respective abutting on the stabilizer fin in the
retracted. In addition, it can be advantageous in terms of a lower
space requirement with, for example, retrofits.
[0013] In one exemplary embodiment the at least one cover element
and/or the at least second cover element is/are an inherently
stable and elastic plastic lip. In this purely passive variant any
drive is eliminated. With extending of the stabilizer fin the at
least one plastic lip is pushed away by it and correspondingly
elastically deformed. Due to the lack of drive this variant is very
low-maintenance. Natural rubber or a rubber material is preferably
selected as material for the plastic lip. "Inherently stable" means
that with lower attachment the plastic lip supports itself and does
not bend away, thus requires no support framework. "Elastic" means
ideally elastic and thus with a return into its original shape
after an elastic deforming.
[0014] In one alternative exemplary embodiment the at least one
cover element and/or the at least second cover element is/are an
elastic plastic lip that is/are stabilized by at least one elastic
or volume-variable support element. In this variant the plastic
lips can be thinner and thus more easily embodied than the
inherently stable and elastic plastic lips, since the stability is
achieved by the local support elements. Tighter bends are thus
possible than in the previous exemplary embodiment, with the result
that this can be used in particular in the fin stabilizers that
have a very narrow gap between the stabilizer fin and the upper and
lower opening edge during retracting and extending. For example,
for elastic support elements metallic spring plates or spring
rigidities are attached rear-side on the at least one plastic lip
or embedded therein. A further example are flexible support fibers
made from carbon fibers or glass fibers that are embedded into the
at least one plastic lip. One example for volume-variable support
elements are hollow-chamber ribs that are depressurized during
retracting and extending and are pressurized and thus stiffened for
closing with a gaseous or liquid fluid or pressure medium such as
compressed air, for example, via an already available onboard
network. Due to a water pressure abutting on the hollow-chamber
ribs their depressurization can be effected automatically with
pressurization with compressed air. The compressed air thus need
not be actively sucked away.
[0015] In a further exemplary embodiment the at least one cover
element and/or the at least second cover element includes/include a
plurality inherently stable and elastic bristle- or lamella-type
elements. This variant is also purely passive. The bristle- or
lamella-type elements can be lamella-type, bristle-type,
barbel-type and the like.
[0016] In another exemplary embodiment the at least one cover
element and/or the at least second cover element is/are a
volume-variable hollow-chamber lip. The at least one hollow-chamber
lip is pressurized with a fluid or pressure medium such as air,
water, oil, and the like for at least partial covering of the
opening, and depressurized for retraction and extension and thus
pressed together. In particular when the hollow-chamber lip is
pressurized with compressed air the depressurization can be
effected automatically via the externally abutting water pressure,
i.e., passively. In principle, however, an active sucking away of
the air such as preferably with a liquid pressure medium is also
possible. However, with the sucking away the externally abutting
water pressure can be considered supporting. With this variant a
strong elastic deforming does not occur with retracting and
extending. However, the point in time of extending and retracting
of the stabilizer fin can be set such that the stabilizer fin only
retracts or extends a certain pressed-out or discharged fluid
amount from the at least one hollow-chamber lip. Possible leaks in
the hull of the hollow-chamber lip can be immediately recognized
via pressure fluctuations during the pressurizing in the at least
partially closed state. Expensive inspection work, which can only
be carried out in dry dock, is thus omitted.
[0017] In order to achieve an optimal at least partial covering of
the opening, the at least one hollow-chamber lip includes at least
one flexible and high-tensile-strength shaping element. A high
dimensional- and thus fit-precision of the at least one seal lip is
achieved by the tensile strength. The flexibility makes it possible
that the at least one hollow-chamber lip is nonetheless
compressible or foldable. Examples of such a shaping element are
fabric sheets that extend in the interior of the at least one
hollow-chamber lip and make possible via holes a pressure
equalization between the chambers formed by them.
[0018] To protect the at least one hollow-chamber lip from damage
by the stabilizer fin a robust and simultaneously elastic or
flexible belt element, such as, for example, a conveyor band, can
be disposed between the stabilizer fin and the hollow-chamber lip.
The at least one hollow-chamber lip is thus protected from direct
physical contact with the stabilizer fin. Simultaneously the at
least one belt element can serve as a guide for the at least one
hollow-chamber lip. In order to ensure a reliable guiding of the
hollow-chamber lip out of the fin-box opening with a steep
installation position of the respective fin box, the respective
belt element can be stiffened by a reinforcement.
[0019] In one preferred exemplary embodiment the at least one first
cover element includes at least one buoyancy body for generating a
buoyancy. The folding, retracting, or extending of the upper
hollow-chamber lip from the fin-box opening can thereby be
accelerated independent of the installation position of the fin
box.
[0020] According to one further exemplary embodiment of the device
the at least second cover element is weighted by at least one
downthrust body for generating a downthrust. A folding together or
pivoting-out of the hollow-chamber lip is accelerated by the
downthrust body during opening of the fin box. It can thereby also
be ensured that the cover element reliably escapes from the opening
region and thus from the pivot path of the stabilizer fin.
[0021] In one further exemplary embodiment of the device the fin
box includes in the upper edge region an upper receiving space for
receiving an upper cover element and/or, in the lower edge region,
a lower receiving space for receiving a lower cover element. In the
opened state of the fin box the receiving elements are thereby
securely protected by external damage.
[0022] An inventive cover element for a fin stabilizer is flexible.
It is thus not rigid, stiff, but rather elastic, in particular
ideally deformable, flexible, volume-variable, and the like. Due to
the flexibility, device-technical expensive articulation or
movement mechanisms for opening or closing the cover element during
extending and retracting of a stabilizer fin are omitted.
[0023] An inventive watercraft is a ship and has at least one
inventive fin stabilizer. Such a ship has a high roll damping and a
lower fuel consumption than ships with open fin boxes in
operation.
[0024] Other advantageous exemplary embodiments of the invention
are the subject matter of further dependent claims.
[0025] In the following, preferred exemplary embodiments of the
invention are explained in more detail with reference to greatly
simplified schematic illustrations.
[0026] FIG. 1 shows a perspective depiction of a first exemplary
embodiment of an inventive fin stabilizer with retracted stabilizer
fin,
[0027] FIG. 2 shows a perspective depiction of the first exemplary
embodiment with extended stabilizer fin,
[0028] FIG. 3 shows a perspective depiction of the first exemplary
embodiment with extended stabilizer fin,
[0029] FIG. 4 shows a section through a receiving space with
opening-side cover elements of a second exemplary embodiment of the
inventive fin stabilizer,
[0030] FIG. 5 shows a section through a receiving space with
opening-side cover elements of a third exemplary embodiment of the
inventive fin-stabilizer with depicted stabilizer fin,
[0031] FIG. 6 shows a plan view of a receiving space with
opening-side cover elements of a fourth exemplary embodiment of the
inventive fin stabilizer,
[0032] FIG. 7 shows a section through the fourth exemplary
embodiment,
[0033] FIG. 8 shows a sectional depiction of a fifth exemplary
embodiment of an inventive fin stabilizer with retracted stabilizer
fin,
[0034] FIG. 9 shows a section through the fifth exemplary
embodiment with extended stabilizer fin,
[0035] FIG. 10 shows a section through the fifth exemplary
embodiment with omission of the stabilizer fin,
[0036] FIG. 11 shows a sectional depiction of a sixth exemplary
embodiment of an inventive fin stabilizer with retracted stabilizer
fin,
[0037] FIG. 12 shows a section through the sixth exemplary
embodiment with extended stabilizer fin,
[0038] FIG. 13 shows a section through the sixth exemplary
embodiment with omission of the stabilizer fin,
[0039] FIG. 14 shows a sectional depiction of a seventh exemplary
embodiment of an inventive fin stabilizer with retracted stabilizer
fin,
[0040] FIG. 15 shows a section through a receiving space with
opening-side cover elements of an eighth exemplary embodiment of
the inventive fin stabilizer,
[0041] FIG. 16 shows a plan view of a receiving space with
opening-side cover elements of a ninth exemplary embodiment of the
inventive fin stabilizer,
[0042] FIG. 17 shows a sectional depiction of a tenth exemplary
embodiment of an inventive fin stabilizer with retracted stabilizer
fin, and
[0043] FIG. 18 shows a sectional depiction of an eleventh exemplary
embodiment of an inventive fin stabilizer with retracted stabilizer
fin.
[0044] In FIGS. 1 to 3 a first exemplary embodiment of an inventive
fin stabilizer 1 for stabilizing a watercraft, in particular a
ship, is shown in different operating states. Usually at least one
fin stabilizer 1 is respectively laterally disposed on a ship
amidships under water. While the fin stabilizer 1 in FIG. 1 is
depicted with retracted stabilizer fin 2, it is shown in FIG. 2
with extending stabilizer fin 2 and in FIG. 3 with extended
stabilizer fin.
[0045] In addition to the stabilizer fin 2 the fin stabilizer 1 has
an essentially not-shown drive for pivoting the stabilizer fin 2, a
receiving space 6 for receiving the retracted stabilizer fin 2, and
two opening-side cover elements 8, 10. All exemplary embodiments
two to nine described in the following FIGS. 1 to 16 include the
same aforementioned features pivotable stabilizer fin 2, drive, and
receiving space 6. There are variations only with respect to the
cover element or cover elements 8, 10, which variants are described
separately for FIGS. 4 to 16.
[0046] The stabilizer fin 2 here has a tail fin 12 that is
deflected in or essentially in travel direction x of the ship
downstream from it and adjustable relative thereto via a separate,
not-shown drive. The stabilizer fin 2 is pivotable about its
vertical axis 14, which here for fundamental simplicity extends in
or essentially in the vertical direction z of the ship. In
addition, the stabilizer fin 2 is rotatable about its longitudinal
axis 15 by a defined angular range. In the poured state shown in
FIG. 1 the longitudinal axis 15 extends in or essentially in the
longitudinal direction of the watercraft and thus in travel
direction x. In the extended state shown in FIG. 3 the longitudinal
axis 15 extends in or essentially transverse to the travel
direction x and thus in transverse direction y. The tail fin 12 is
rotatable via a drive relative to the stabilizer fin 2 about its
own longitudinal axis by a defined angular range.
[0047] The vertical axis 14 is formed by a swivel tower 16 of the
fin stabilizer 1, which swivel tower 16 is disposed in the
receiving space 6 and on whose pivot arm 18 extending transverse to
the vertical axis 14 the stabilizer fin 2 is connected rotatably
about its longitudinal axis 15.
[0048] The not-shown drive for pivoting the stabilizer fin 2 about
the vertical axis 14 is a hydraulic drive, which is positioned
outside the receiving space 6 and is in operative connection with
the swivel tower 18 by hydraulic lines.
[0049] The receiving space 6 is the so-called fin box. It is
box-shaped and closed or fluid-tight with respect to the hull
interior. In addition to the receiving of the swivel tower 16 it
serves for complete receiving of the stabilizer fin 2 including its
tail fin 12 in the retracted state. It has an opening 22 facing the
water as well as, viewed in vertical direction z, a cover wall, a
base wall opposing the cover wall, a rear wall 28 opposing the
opening 22 or fin-box opening viewed in transverse direction y,
and, viewed in travel direction x a front wall 30 and a rear wall
32. For reasons of clarity only the front wall 30 and the rear wall
32 are numbered.
[0050] The cover elements 8, 10 serve for at least partial covering
or closing of the opening 22 in the retracted state of the
stabilizer fin 2 and in the extended state of the stabilizer fin
2.
[0051] In the first exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 3
the cover elements 8, 10 are two passive and flexible plastic lips.
In particular they are two elastic or ideally elastic rubber mats.
An exemplary material is rubber. "Passive" means that for
retracting and/or extending of the stabilizer fin 2 the cover
elements 8, 10 are not themselves controlled but rather are
transferred from their closed position into their open position
exclusively by the stabilizer fin and automatically assume their
closed position again due to their elastic material properties,
without active controlling, after their retracting or extending.
Their flexibility and the flexibility of all cover elements 8, 10
discussed in the following is set such that they withstand a water
pressure that abuts on them externally and do not or nearly do not
elastically yield, i.e., they are not or not appreciably pressed-in
into the opening 22 by the water pressure either at anchor or
during travel of the ship.
[0052] The cover elements 8, 10 have a rectangular design and are
inherently stable, i.e., they require no supporting support
structure. Viewed in vertical direction z they are attached at an
upper edge section 34 or a lower edge section 36 and have such a
height that over their entire length they close the opening 22 over
its entire height. In the exemplary embodiment shown here they have
the same height and thus each half the height of the opening
22.
[0053] In the retracted state shown in FIG. 1 they contact the
opening centrally with or nearly centrally by their longitudinal
edges and form there a linear contact region 42. They have at least
such a length that the stabilizer fin is covered over its entire
length from its fin base 38 numbered in FIG. 2 to the fin tip 40.
In the exemplary embodiment shown here a front opening region 44
and a rear, pivot-tower-side opening region 46 remain free. Of
course these opening regions 44, 46 can also be covered. However,
it has been shown that the advantageous effect of the cover
elements 8, 10 already shows when only the stabilizer fin 2 is
covered over its entire length in the closed position as here.
[0054] With the extending of the stabilizer fin 2 the tail fin 12
passes through the contact region 42 and pushes the two cover
elements 8, 10 apart. For this purpose it is advantageous if during
extending the contact region lies at the height of the tail fin 12.
During extending, the cover elements 8, 10 virtually brush over the
stabilizer fins 2, wherein the cover elements 8, 10 are not
controlled but rather the stabilizer fin 2 actively moves with
respect to the passive cover elements 8, 10.
[0055] After the complete passing-through of the stabilizer fin 2,
i.e., in the extended state of the stabilizer fin 2, the cover
elements 8, 10 again assume their closed position due to their
elastic material properties. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the cover
elements 8, 10 again contact with their opposing longitudinal
edges, thus forming the contact region 42 and partially closing the
opening 22.
[0056] In FIG. 4 a second exemplary embodiment of the inventive fin
stabilizer 1 is shown. For reasons of clarity a stabilizer fin is
not depicted. In contrast to the first exemplary embodiment
according to FIGS. 1 to 3, two flexible cover elements 8, 10 are
not inherently stable and elastic plastic lips or rubber mats, but
rather elastic rubber mats 48, 50, which are stabilized in their
closed position via elastic support elements such as spring
elements 52, 54 attached here, for example, rear-side. The spring
elements 52, 54 here are spring sheets extending extensively over
the rubber mats 48, 50. Alternatively the spring elements 52, 54
can be individual spring strips and the like positioned adjacent to
one another. Due to the lack of inherent stability of the rubber
mats 48, 50, the cover elements 8, 10 are embodied thinner than in
the first exemplary embodiment, whereby smaller bending radii can
be achieved than in the first exemplary embodiment.
[0057] In the third exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 5 of the
inventive fin stabilizer, in contrast to the second exemplary
embodiment, two flexible plastic lips or rubber mats 48, 50 are not
stiffened in their closed position via spring elements, but rather
via volume-variable support elements such as sponge elements 56,
58. The sponge elements 56, 58 are disposed rear-side of the rubber
mats 48, 58 and tapered wedge-shaped toward a contact region 42 of
the rubber mats 48, 50 starting from their foot section attached to
a cover wall or base wall of a receiving space 6 for a stabilizer
fin 2. They are pore-like and such that they can absorb water and
release water. During extending and retracting of the stabilizer
fin 2 the water is pressed out of them by the stabilizer fin 2
running against them, with the result that they experience a volume
reduction. However, after the extending of the stabilizer fin 2
they again draw water surrounding them and thus experience a volume
increase until they have reached their original volume and thus
their original shape according to their closed position. The third
exemplary embodiment is thus also a passive system.
[0058] In contrast to the above-mentioned exemplary embodiments, in
the third exemplary embodiment the lower cover element 10 is
embodied with a lower height than the upper cover element 8. In
direct comparison the upper cover element 8 is thus taller than the
lower cover element 10. Of course, however, both cover elements 8,
10 can also have the same height. The height of the cover elements
8, 10 determines their longitudinal-edge-side contact region 42,
which during extending preferably lies, like the tail fin 12, at
the height of a first extending stabilizer-fin part or
stabilizer-fin section. If the two cover elements 8, 10 now have a
different vertical extension, this means that in the third
exemplary embodiment the tail fin 12 extends to a different height
than in the previous exemplary embodiments.
[0059] In FIGS. 6 and 7 a fourth exemplary embodiment of the
inventive fin stabilizer 1 is shown with two flexible cover element
8, 10, which include elastic, not-inherently-stable rubber mats 48,
50 and rear-side volume-variable support elements 60, 62. In
contrast to the third exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 5 the
support elements are hollow-chamber ribs 60, 62. The hollow-chamber
ribs 60, 62 extend in vertical direction z and are laterally spaced
from each other in the longitudinal direction of the cover elements
8, 10. They are, for example, connected to an on-board
compressed-air network of the ship and thereby pressurizable with
compressed air.
[0060] For or during extending and retracting of the stabilizer fin
2 they are depressurized, wherein a fluid or pressure medium and in
particular compressed air is passively pushed out by the water
pressure surrounding it. The hollow-chamber ribs 60, 62 lose their
inherent stability, and the rubber mats 48, 50 can be elastically
deformed by the stabilizer fin 2.
[0061] For transferring the cover elements 8, 10 back in their
closed position in the retracted state and in the extended state of
the stabilizer fin, the hollow-chamber ribs 60, 62 are actively
pressurized with the pressure medium such as compressed air until
they again have their inherent stability. The fourth embodiment is
thus an active-passive or a semi-passive system.
[0062] In FIGS. 8, 9, and 10 a fifth exemplary embodiment of the
inventive fin stabilizer 1 is shown whose fin-box opening 22 is at
least partially coverable in the retracted state of a stabilizer
fin 2 (FIG. 8) and in the extended state of a stabilizer fin 2
(FIG. 10). For reasons of clarity the completely extended
stabilizer fin 2 is not shown in FIG. 10.
[0063] In contrast to the aforementioned exemplary embodiments, the
fifth exemplary embodiment includes only one flexible cover
element. The cover element 8 here is a volume-variable
hollow-chamber lip. The cover element designated as hollow-chamber
lip 8 in the context of FIGS. 8, 9, and 10 has a wedge-shaped
cross-section and is attached by its wide foot section to the upper
edge section 34 of the opening 22. In the closed position shown
in
[0064] FIGS. 8 and 10 it extends over the entire height of the
opening 22 and has a linear head section 63 by which it abuts on
the lower edge section 36 of the opening. The hollow-chamber lip 8
in the pressurized state has a defined target-contour or -shape via
flexible and high-tensile-strength shaping elements 64, 66 that are
disposed in the interior of the hollow-chamber lip 8. The shaping
elements 64, 66 are, for example, fabric sheets such as material
sheets extending from the foot section to the head section 63,
wherein holes for pressure equalization are introduced between
chambers formed by them. For pressurizing the hollow-chamber lip 8
with a fluid or pressure medium such as compressed air it is in
operating connection with a compressed-air source, for example, a
shipboard network.
[0065] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 10 and additionally indicated by the
arrow, the hollow-chamber lip 8 is inflated in its closed position.
It then abuts with its head section 63 on the lower edge region 36
of the opening 22 and thus extends over the entire height of the
opening 22. A longitudinal contact region 42 for at least partial
closing of the opening 22 is thus formed between the head section
63 and the lower edge section 36. For reasons of clarity the entire
extended stabilizer fin 2 is not shown in FIG. 10.
[0066] As additionally indicated in FIG. 9 by the arrow, the
hollow-chamber lip 8 is depressurized for retracting or extending
and thus virtually folded during pivoting. Here the head section 63
can briefly be moved out through the opening 22 out of the
receiving space 6. The depressurization is preferably effected here
automatically via the externally abutting water pressure, i.e.,
passively. The point in time for extending and retracting of the
stabilizer fin 2 can be set such that it only extends or retracts
starting from a certain pushed-out quantity of pressure medium from
the at least one hollow-chamber lip 8 or an effected pressure
buildup in the at least one hollow-chamber lip 8. Possible leaks in
the hull of the hollow-chamber lip 8 can be immediately recognized
via pressure fluctuations or pressure reductions during the
pressurizing in the at least partially closed state.
[0067] After the retracting or extending, the hollow-chamber lip 8
is again pressurized with a pressure medium and thus transferred
into its closed position shown in FIGS. 8 and 10, wherein it thus
extends over the entire height of the opening 22 and at least
partially closes it. Like the fourth exemplary embodiment the fifth
exemplary embodiment is thus an active-passive or a semi-automatic
system.
[0068] In FIGS. 11, 12, and 13 a sixth exemplary embodiment of the
inventive fin stabilizer is shown whose fin-box opening 22 is at
least partially coverable in the retracted state of a stabilizer
fin 2 (FIG. 11) and in the extended state of a stabilizer fin 2
(FIG. 13). For reasons of clarity the completely extended
stabilizer fin 2 is not shown in FIG. 13.
[0069] In contrast to the fifth exemplary embodiment, the sixth
exemplary embodiment includes two flexible cover elements 8, 10
embodied as volume-variable hollow-chamber lips. The upper cover
element 8, designated as upper hollow-chamber-lip in the context of
FIGS. 11, 12, and 13, has a wedge shaped cross-section and is
attached by a wide foot section to the upper edge section 34 of the
opening 22. The lower cover element 10, designated as lower
hollow-chamber lip in the context of FIGS. 11, 12, and 13, is also
wedge-shaped and attached to the lower edge section 36 of the
opening 22. In comparison the upper hollow-chamber lip 8 is
embodied taller than the lower hollow-chamber lip 10.
[0070] As illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 13, in the closed position
the two hollow-chamber lips extend together over the entire height
of the opening 22. The height of the hollow-chamber lips 8, 10 and
thus the position of their contact region 42 conforms with the
position of the fin in the retracted state. The shaping of the
upper hollow-chamber lip 8 and lower hollow-chamber lip 10 by
flexible and high-tensile-strength shaping elements 64, 66, as well
as the functionality or controlling of the hollow-chamber lips 8,
10 are like the functionality or controlling of the individual
hollow-chamber lips shown in the fifth exemplary embodiment
according to FIGS. 8, 9, 10.
[0071] In FIG. 14 a seventh exemplary embodiment of the inventive
flow stabilizer 1 is shown whose fin-box opening 22 is at least
partially covered in the retracted state and in the extended state
of a stabilizer fin 2.
[0072] Like the sixth exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 11,
12, and 13, the seventh exemplary embodiment includes a lower and
an upper hollow-chamber lip acting as flexible cover elements 8,
10. In the context of FIG. 14 the cover elements 8, 10 are
designated as upper hollow-chamber lip 8 and lower hollow-chamber
lip 10. The upper hollow-chamber lip 10 also has a lower height
than the upper hollow-chamber lip 8, wherein their heights conform
to the position of the retracted fin.
[0073] In contrast to the sixth exemplary embodiment the seventh
exemplary embodiment includes flexible and volume-variable shaping
elements 64, 66 for target-shaping under pressurization, which
extend in the closed position transverse or essentially transverse
to the vertical direction z. The shaping elements 64, 66 that are
disposed in the interior of the hollow-chamber lips are, for
example, fabric sheets or material sheets wherein holes are
introduced for pressure equalization between chambers formed
between them. For pressurizing the hollow-chamber lip with
compressed air it is in operative connection with a compressed-air
source, for example, a shipboard network. The functionality or
controlling of the hollow-chamber lips is the same as the
functionality or controlling of the two hollow-chamber lips in the
sixth exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 11, 12, and 13, and
thus like the functionality or controlling of the individual
hollow-chamber lips in the fifth exemplary embodiment according to
FIGS. 8, 9, and 10.
[0074] An eighth exemplary embodiment 1 of the invention is shown
in FIG. 15. In contrast to the preceding exemplary embodiments, in
the retracted state of a stabilizer fin 2 a section of the
stabilizer fin 2 or of a tail fin 12 protrudes through an upper
cover element 8 and through a lower cover element 10. However, in
the retracted state the stabilizer fin 2 does not protrude out over
the opening 22 of the receiving space 6, but rather is completely
received therein. Here the cover elements 8, 10 abut on opposing
sides 68, 70 of the stabilizing fin 2 and thus each form a sealing
contact region 72, 74 with the stabilizing fin 2. In the retracted
state the cover elements 8, 10 thus form no contact region 42 with
each other, rather each its own contact region 72, 74 with the
stabilizer fin 2. In particular in this exemplary embodiment the
cover elements 8, 10 abut on the sides 68, 70 via robust flexible
elements, such as, for example, belt elements 76, 78 to be
explained in the following. However, the belt elements 76, 78 are
optional.
[0075] In the extended state the cover elements 8, 20 can form a
contact region between each other, however this depends on their
shape and/or the belt elements 76, 78 shown here.
[0076] As in the seventh exemplary embodiment the cover elements 8,
10 are embodied here as hollow-chamber lips and are also designated
as such in the following in FIG. 15. In contrast to the seventh
exemplary embodiment, however, at least one belt element 76, 78
respectively extends rear-side of the hollow-chamber lips 8, 10.
The belt elements 76, 78 are robust and simultaneously elastic or
flexible, for example in the form of conveyor bands. The upper belt
element here is attached to a cover wall section 80 of the
receiving space 6 and engages on the head section 63 of the upper
hollow chamber lip 8. The lower belt element 78 is attached to a
base wall section 82 of the receiving space 6 and engages on the
head section 84 of the lower hollow-chamber lip. The belt elements
76, 78 are rubber-like or elastic and preferably extend over the
entire length of the hollow-chamber lips 8, 10. On the one hand the
belt elements 76, 78 represent a protection of the hollow-chamber
lips 8, 10, in particular with retracting and extending of the
stabilizing fin 2. Then it is prevented by the belt elements 76, 78
that the stabilizing fin 2, whose sides 68, 70 are roughened due
to, for example, natural infestation with barnacles in the course
of operation, scrubs along the hollow-chamber lips 8, 10 and
damages them. On the other hand the belt elements 76, 78 act as a
guide or as a hinge during depressurization of the hollow-chamber
lips 8, 10.
[0077] In FIG. 16 a ninth exemplary embodiment of the inventive fin
stabilizer is shown including two passive flexible cover elements
8, 10 for at least sectional covering of a fin-cabins opening 22.
The cover elements 8, 10 are respectively comprised of a variety of
flexible and inherently stable strip elements 86, 88, belt
elements, bristles, lamellae, and the like. The opposing strip
elements 86, 88 of the cover elements 8, 10 form a linear contact
zone 42 through which the stabilizer fin passes-through during
retracting and extending. The strip elements 86, 88 are attached to
the upper or lower edge region 34, 36 of the opening 22 and extend
here over the respective half opening height. In combination they
thus cover the entire opening height. In contrast to the preceding
exemplary embodiments a front opening region 44 is also closed by
the strip elements 86, 88. The strip elements 86, 88 are pushed
apart from each other or pushed away by the retracting or extending
stabilizer fin 2 and after the complete passage again assume their
closed position shown in FIG. 16, wherein the opening 22 is at
least sectionally covered. The ninth exemplary embodiment is thus a
passive system.
[0078] In all exemplary embodiments a vertical covering of the
opening is achieved in the region of the stabilizer fin 2, whereas
laterally to the stabilizer fin 2 the opening is open or laterally
not-closed opening regions 44, 46 are formed, with the exception of
the ninth exemplary embodiment in FIG. 16, wherein the opening 22
front region is also closed. Of course a vertical gap can thus also
be formed between the cover elements 8, 10 in at least the
retracted state of the stabilizer fin 2; the cover elements 8, 10
can thus also form no contact region 42. It is essential that the
opening 22 is closed in a larger region than open, in the vertical
direction over the length of the at least one cover element 8, 10,
by the at least one cover element 8, 10. The height of the at least
one cover element 8, 10 is thus greater than a remaining, unclosed
height of the opening 22 or a vertical gap over the length of the
at least one cover element 8, 10. The at least one cover element 8,
10 can thus also only extend nearly over the respective height of
the opening. An upper cover element 8 and a lower cover element 10
can thus together extend also only nearly over the respective
height of the opening 22.
[0079] In addition, even if not respectively explicitly described,
in some exemplary embodiments the cover elements can be actively
opened and closed in a controlled or regulated manner, with the
result that a cover system of the invention designated as passive
can be embodied or be semi-passive or active.
[0080] Like the eighth exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 15
the tenth exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 17 includes a lower
and upper hollow-chamber lip acting as flexible cover elements 8,
10, which are each provided with a belt element 76, 78. In the
context of FIG. 15 the cover elements 8, 10 are designated as upper
hollow-chamber lip 8 and lower hollow-chamber lip 10. The lower
hollow-chamber lip 10 also has a lower height than the upper
hollow-chamber lip 8, wherein their heights conform to the position
of the retracted fin 2.
[0081] In contrast to the eighth exemplary embodiment according to
FIG. 15, the tenth exemplary embodiment includes a buoyancy element
90 on the upper hollow-chamber lip 8. The buoyancy element 90 here
can be a liquid-filled space integrated into the hollow-chamber lip
8, which is preferably drainable, a foam, such as, for example,
polystyrene and the like. It is critical that it has a lower
density than the water surrounding the hollow-chamber lip 8. In the
exemplary embodiment shown here the buoyancy element 90 is a space
90 fillable with a gas, which space 90 is separated from the
remaining volume of the hollow-chamber lip 8 by a partition 91 and
is disposed end-side or, according to the representation in FIG.
17, below in the hollow-chamber lip 8. Here the buoyancy element 90
can also be disposed at any other position inside the
hollow-chamber lip 8.
[0082] Furthermore, the tenth exemplary embodiment of the fin
stabilizer includes a downthrust element 92, which weights the at
least one lower cover element 10. According to the exemplary
embodiment the downthrust element 92 is disposed on or in the belt
element 78 in the region of the head section 84 and is embodied in
the shape of a bent, in particular metallic, plate. The downthrust
element 92 here is virtually an extension of the belt element 78
and is supported on the cover element 10. The downthrust element 92
weights the hollow-chamber chamber lip 10 and pushes it after, or
during, its depressurization downward out of the fin-box opening
22. In addition to the design as a bent metal plate, another
geometry or another material can be used. Thus the downthrust
element 92 can also be integrated into the downthrust element 92,
for example, as round steel, or be a space inside the
hollow-chamber lip 10 filled with a material. It is critical that
the downthrust element 92 has a greater density than the water
surrounding the hollow-chamber lip 8.
[0083] Complementary to the eighth embodiment according to FIG. 15
at least one of the belt elements 76 is provided with a
reinforcement 98. This reinforcement 98 can be effected, for
example, by a thick-walled rubber mat with further local
reinforcements. This reinforcement 98 can be embodied with
different stiffness depending on the requirement. In particular
with steeply installed fin boxes 6 the reinforcing can favor
pivoting-out of the hollow-chamber lip 8. With an extending of the
stabilizing fin 2 the at least one belt element 76 can guide the
cover element 8 out of the fin box 6 alone or with the
reinforcement 98 and/or the buoyancy body 90, whereby in particular
with steep installation angles of the fin stabilizer a jamming of
the cover element 8 between the fin boxes 6 and the stabilizer fin
2, as well as a possible pivoting directed inward into the fin box
6 can effectively be prevented. According to the exemplary
embodiment the at least one belt element 76 preferably only
sectionally follows the geometry of the hollow-chamber lip 8.
According to the exemplary embodiment in the retracted state of the
fin 2 the belt element 76 lifts off from the hollow-chamber lip 8
and extends by its end section 77 out over the opening region 22
toward the lower hollow-chamber lip 10. Thus a possible gap between
both cover elements 8, 10 can be closed by the at least one belt
element 76 in the opening region. The at least one belt element 76
here can also form a protrusion or overlap in the opening region,
which protrusion or overlap extends out over the lower
hollow-chamber lip 10.
[0084] FIG. 18 represents an eleventh exemplary embodiment of the
inventive fin stabilizer 1. While the exemplary embodiments
according to FIGS. 1 to 17 are in particular also suited to
technically simple retrofitting, the eleventh exemplary embodiment
shown in FIG. 18 describes in particular a solution for new ship
construction. Complementary to the tenth exemplary embodiment
according to FIG. 17 the eleventh exemplary embodiment provides a
possibility of stowage of the cover element in the open state of
the fin box 6. The buoyancy body 90 is disposed here approximately
centrally in the upper hollow-chamber lip 8. In the upper edge
section 34 the fin box 6 includes an upper receiving space 94 for
receiving an upper hollow-chamber lip 8 in the open state. During
extending of the stabilizer fin 2 the belt element 76 pivots over
the upper receiving space 94 and preferably closes it. Thus the
upper hollow-chamber lip 8 is protected from damage. In an
analogous manner to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 17 the
belt element 76 can also include the end section 77 here.
[0085] In an analogous manner to the upper edge section 34,
according to the eleventh exemplary embodiment the fin stabilizer
includes an optional lower receiving space 96 in the region of the
lower edge section 36, which lower receiving space 96 can receive
the lower hollow-chamber lip 10. In the open state the belt element
78 can also close here such that the lower receiving space 96 is
closed by the belt element 78 and protects the lower hollow-chamber
lip 10. Reinforcements of the belt element 78 are also possible
here.
[0086] Disclosed is a fin stabilizer for the stabilizing of
watercraft, including a pivotable stabilizer fin, including a fin
box for receiving the stabilizer fin in the retracted state and
including at least one cover element for at least partial covering
of a fin-box opening, through which the stabilizer fin enters in
the fin box or exits during retracting and extending, wherein the
at least one cover element is flexible, a cover element for a
fin-box opening, and a watercraft including at least one fin
stabilizer.
REFERENCE NUMBER LIST
[0087] 1 Fin stabilizer
[0088] 2 Stabilizer fin
[0089] 6 Receiving space/fin box
[0090] 8 Upper cover element
[0091] 10 Lower cover element
[0092] 10 Tail fin
[0093] 14 Vertical axis
[0094] 15 Longitudinal axis
[0095] 16 Swivel tower
[0096] 18 Swivel arm
[0097] 22 Opening/fin-box opening
[0098] 30 Front wall
[0099] 32 Rear wall
[0100] 34 Upper edge section
[0101] 36 Lower edge section
[0102] 38 Fin base
[0103] 40 Fin tip
[0104] 42 Contact region
[0105] 44 Front opening region
[0106] 46 Rear opening region
[0107] 48 Rubber mat
[0108] 50 Rubber mat
[0109] 52 Spring element/support element
[0110] 54 Spring element/support element
[0111] 56 Sponge element
[0112] 58 Sponge element
[0113] 60 Hollow-chamber ribs
[0114] 62 Hollow-chamber ribs
[0115] 63 Head section
[0116] 64 Shaping element
[0117] 66 Shaping element
[0118] 68 Side
[0119] 70 Side
[0120] 72 Contact region
[0121] 74 Contact region
[0122] 76 Belt element
[0123] 77 End section
[0124] 78 Belt element
[0125] 80 Cover wall section
[0126] 82 Base wall section
[0127] 84 Head section
[0128] 86 Bristle- or lamella-type element
[0129] 88 Bristle- or lamella-type element
[0130] 90 Buoyancy element
[0131] 91 Partition
[0132] 92 Downthrust element
[0133] 94 Upper receiving space
[0134] 96 Lower receiving space
[0135] 98 Reinforcement
* * * * *